Castles and towers: These 15 medieval towns belong in a storybook

Windows to the past

Castles and towers: These 15 medieval towns belong in a storybook

Some spots in Europe haven’t changed much in the last 500 years. Their castles, street facades, drawbridges, and towers are an ode to historical preservation. Below is a list of 15 cities or towns where you can still wander around and run into medieval walls, twisting narrow streets, and storybook cobblestones, just like humans could centuries ago.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Image: Taylor Marx

If you’ve ever imagined a medieval town straight out of a fairy tale, this is probably it.

Rothenburg is famous for its perfectly preserved walls, crooked half-timbered houses, and storybook towers that look almost unreal. A unique highlight is walking the town walls for panoramic views.

Carcassonne, France

Image: Bloople Web

Carcassonne looks exactly like the fortress you pictured as a child when someone said the word "castle."

It’s bold and dramatic, with double stone walls, dozens of towers, and drawbridges. One unforgettable experience is walking the ramparts and looking out over the countryside, imagining medieval guards once standing in the same spot.

Český Krumlov, Czech Republic

Image: Sergey Guk

This town feels like a painted miniature come to life. A river curves tightly around the old town, while a massive castle rises above red rooftops and winding streets.

People love how intimate and romantic it feels, almost like a European storybook village. One unique experience is climbing the castle tower for sweeping views of the river looping around the town like a ribbon.

Conwy, Wales

Image: Bill Eccles

A massive castle towers over the Conwy harbor, while remarkably intact stone walls still encircle the town. It looks like everyday life continues inside ancient defenses.

A must-do experience is walking the walls for views of the castle, the town below, and the nearby mountains and sea.

Óbidos, Portugal

Image: Lopez_Grande

Óbidos is another town encircled by walls, inside of which live whitewashed houses trimmed with bright colors. Spring is especially lovely, when flowers spill over walls and windows.

A unique experience is walking the ramparts for sweeping views of the countryside, then stopping for a taste of ginjinha, the local cherry liqueur served in tiny cups.

Bruges, Belgium

Image: Francesco Ungaro

The medieval charm of Bruges comes from stone bridges, canals, and guild houses that reflect softly in the water. Many visitors say it feels like Venice, but slower, smaller, and easier to explore. A must-do experience is a canal boat ride, drifting past centuries-old buildings.

Albarracín, Spain

Image: Manuel Fandiño Cabaleiro

Albarracín looks as if it were carved from the surrounding cliffs. Its pinkish stone houses cling to the hillside, connected by narrow, winding streets that seem designed to slow you down. One unique experience is simply getting lost among its steep alleys, where every turn reveals a new view or hidden corner.

Siena, Italy

Image: Pixabay

Siena’s brick buildings, narrow streets, and sloping alleyways all lead toward the stunning Piazza del Campo, one of Europe’s most beautiful public squares. One simply must stand in the piazza and picture the famous Palio horse race, a centuries-old tradition that still electrifies the entire town.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Image: Mateusz Popek

Dubrovnik is unforgettable at first sight. Massive stone walls wrap around an old town perched right above the sparkling Adriatic Sea. Many visitors say it reminds them of an epic film set, which isn’t surprising given its role in popular TV and movies.

Ávila, Spain

Image: Mauro Lima

Ávila’s towering medieval walls completely surround the old town and dominate the landscape, making visitors feel as though they’ve stepped inside a fortified world.

Late afternoon is especially magical, when the stone walls glow golden in the setting sun. Walking the top of the walls themselves must be the childhood dream of many.

San Gimignano, Italy

Image: Ahmet AZAKLI

San Gimignano rises above the Tuscan countryside like a skyline from another era. Its famous stone towers were built by rival families to show off wealth and power, earning the town its nickname, "Medieval Manhattan."

Tallinn, Estonia

Image: Hongbin

With tall stone walls, red-roofed towers, and winding lanes, Tallinn looks like a fairy tale illustrated in a very old book. The best time to visit is late spring or summer, when outdoor cafés fill the squares, though winter brings a snow-dusted magic of its own.

York, England

Image: Jeffrey Zhang

York is a city built in layers: Roman foundations, Viking streets, and medieval timber-framed buildings all coexist in a compact, walkable center. Visitors must stroll through The Shambles and by the ancient city walls, which still form a continuous loop around the historic center.

Bamberg, Germany

Image: Mohamed B.

Built on seven hills and spared from major wartime damage, Bamberg remains beautifully intact. Colorful buildings line rivers and canals, earning it comparisons to a quieter, more relaxed Venice.

One memorable experience is visiting the Old Town Hall, dramatically perched on a bridge in the middle of the river, a sight unlike anything else in Europe.

Girona, Spain

Image: Anna Marszałek

Girona feels like a city of quiet discoveries, with its medieval walls, stone bridges, and maze-like Jewish Quarter. Walking the old city walls, one can enjoy panoramic views while slowly circling centuries of history.